Strong final day for the Repsol Honda Team at Phillip Island

The second official three-day pre-season test proved to be very productive for Marc Marquez, who today celebrated his 24th birthday, and for teammate Dani Pedrosa. Both riders were able to keep a very strong pace throughout the day and concluded the test in second and third positions, respectively, in the combined times.

On another fair day blessed with sunny conditions, the Repsol Honda riders wasted no time in taking to the track at 9:45 a.m. in order to take advantage of a 15 minute practice-start window that was implemented at the beginning of day. After that they continued to work positively on their RC213V setup and on engine mapping, in addition to testing the new tyre specs that Michelin brought to this test.

Marc Marquez

2ND1:28.843

“I’m very happy with how it went today because we improved a lot, especially in the afternoon, even if I did my best lap time in the morning. In the end I felt much more comfortable and it seems that yesterday’s long runs were useful for improving the electronics and getting closer to the level we wanted to reach. Overall, I think it has been three very positive days, and we did a good job. Of course we shouldn't forget that this circuit is quite particular, and in Qatar we’ll see where we really are. Today I had a funny present from my team, a magnifying glass; I know I’m quite persistent in asking to check the data to find the issues we had, and they told me to find it myself! I’m very thankful that HRC is putting in a lot of effort, and step-by-step we’re getting better. I’d like to wish all the best to my Crew Chief Santi [Hernandez], who wasn't able to be here at Philip Island because of some medical checks. We all missed him and we’re looking forward to seeing him with us again at the next test!"

Dani Pedrosa

3RD1:29.033

“Overall I think it’s been a very positive test, especially considering that this isn’t one of my favourite tracks. I was riding quite well and I think we improved day by day. Yesterday I wasn’t feeling well but today I felt a bit better and we were able to do a good job on the track. The team has worked very well. We focused again on electronics and on the setup of the bike, and the only thing we missed was a long run, as we ran out of time. Michelin have also made some good steps forward with the tyres. All in all, we can say we’re heading in the right direction, even if we still have some work to do.”

MotoGP 2017Friday, February 17th 2017

TestingPhillip Island Official TestAustralia

Results Session

Pos.

Rider

Num

Nation

Team

Constructor

Time/Gap

1

Vinales Maverick

25

SPA

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP

Yamaha

1:28.549

2

Marquez Marc

93

SPA

Repsol Honda Team

Honda

0.294

3

Pedrosa Dani

26

SPA

Repsol Honda Team

Honda

0.484

4

Folger Jonas

94

GER

Monster Yamaha Tech 3

Yamaha

0.493

5

Crutchlow Cal

35

GBR

Honda

0.552

6

Rins Alex

42

SPA

Team Suzuki Ecstar

Suzuki

0.554

7

Dovizioso Andrea

04

ITA

Ducati Team

Ducati

0.699

8

Lorenzo Jorge

99

SPA

Ducati Team

Ducati

0.793

9

Miller Jack

43

AUS

Marc VDS Racing Team

Honda

0.809

10

Espargaro Aleix

41

SPA

Aprilia Racing Team Gresini

Aprilia

0.812

11

Rossi Valentino

46

ITA

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP

Yamaha

0.921

12

Iannone Andrea

29

ITA

Team Suzuki Ecstar

Suzuki

0.998

13

Petrucci Danilo

9

ITA

Octo Pramac Racing

Ducati

1.066

14

Zarco Johann

5

FRA

Monster Yamaha Tech 3

Yamaha

1.121

15

Barbera Hector

8

SPA

Reale Avintia Racing

Ducati

1.242

16

Espargaro Pol

44

SPA

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

KTM

1.308

17

Baz Loris

76

FRA

Reale Avintia Racing

Ducati

1.428

18

Smith Bradley

38

GBR

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

KTM

1.429

19

Bautista Alvaro

19

SPA

Pull&Bear Aspar Team

Ducati

1.435

20

Redding Scott

45

GBR

Octo Pramac Racing

Ducati

1.456

21

Lowes Sam

22

GBR

Aprilia Racing Team Gresini

Aprilia

1.651

22

Abraham Karel

17

CZE

Pull&Bear Aspar Team

Ducati

1.903

Gallery

Images are copyright but free for editorial use.

Location Information

Phillip Island, the self-styled home of Australian motorsport, is steeped in motor racing tradition, with the first car races having been held there on public roads in the 1920s. The first motorcycle races took place in 1931 and a permanent track was built in 1956. The circuit fell into disrepair… read more.

Location Information

Phillip Island, the self-styled home of Australian motorsport, is steeped in motor racing tradition, with the first car races having been held there on public roads in the 1920s. The first motorcycle races took place in 1931 and a permanent track was built in 1956. The circuit fell into disrepair… read more.